Aeonium plant named ‘Emerald Ice’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Aeonium  cultivar named ‘Emerald Ice’ is disclosed, characterized by very even, concentric rosettes, comprised of an abundance of green leaves, colored marginally with creamy white, and arranged in an attractive, variegated geometric pattern. Further, the new cultivar ‘Emerald Ice’ freely offsets, enabling increased and faster propagation of the cultivar. In addition, the robust growth, in combination with the freely offsetting characteristic of the new cultivar ‘Emerald Ice’, results in the clusters at an early age, and enhances production intervals. The new variety is an  Aeonium , part of the Crassulaceae complex that includes  Aeonium, Echeveria, Graptopetalum, Sedum  and others.  Aeonium  is a popular genus, typically produced as container plants for the patio or as landscape plants.

Latin name of the genus and species: Aeonium hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘EMERALD ICE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Aeonium ‘Emerald Ice’, was found by the inventor,Renee O'Connell, as a naturally occurring, whole plant, mutation in anexisting population of the unpatented variety Aeonium hybrid ‘PartyPlatter’. The parent variety is the product is a planned breedingprogram conducted same inventor, Renee O'Connell. Aeonium ‘Emerald Ice’was discovered by the inventor, Renee O Connell, in November of 2011, ina block of motherstock plants of Aeonium ‘Party Platter’ at a commercialgreenhouse in Vista. Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Emerald Ice’ was firstperformed in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse, by vegetativecuttings in December of 2011. ‘Emerald Ice’ has since produced multiplegenerations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘EMERALD ICE’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘EMERALD ICE’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘EMERALD ICE’ as a new and distinct Aeoniumcultivar:

-   -   1. Displays a low growing morphology, in combination with        variegation, not exhibited by other known Aeonium cultivars.    -   2. Exhibits very concentric, flattened rosettes with an        abundance of leaves, combining with the variegation to create an        unusual geometric pattern, not displayed by comparable Aeonium        cultivars.    -   3. Freely offsetting, forming low growing clusters quickly, a        growth habit not displayed by comparable Aeonium cultivars.    -   4. Easily and rapidly propagated due to robust growth, and        prolific offsetting, as compared with other Aeonium cultivars.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EMERALD ICE’ are similar to plants of theparent, Aeonium ‘Party Platter’ in most horticultural characteristics,however, plants of the new cultivar ‘EMERALD ICE’ differ in thefollowing;

-   -   1. Displays a green and creamy white variegation, displaying        leaves of multiple green shades accented by creamy white        margins; foliage of Aeonium ‘Party Platter’ is not variegated.    -   2. Forms rosettes that are of more compact morphology than the        rosettes of Aeonium ‘Party Platter’.    -   3. Exhibits a more geometric appearance than that of Aeonium        ‘Party Platter’, as a result of the more compact rosette in        combination with the attractive variegation.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EMERALD ICE’ are comparable to theunpatented, commercial variety Aeonium arboreum ‘Tricolor’. The twoAeonium varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics;however, the new variety ‘EMERALD ICE’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Displays a more geometric variegation than does Aeonium        arboreum ‘Tricolor’.    -   2. Forms a more evenly concentric rosette than does Aeonium        arboreum ‘Tricolor’, producing a more uniform rosette plant        form.    -   3. Produces a rosette with an abundance of leaves, creating a        plant with a much more full appearance, than does Aeonium        arboreum ‘Tricolor’    -   4. Offsets more profusely than Aeonium arboreum ‘Tricolor’,        enhancing the propagation rate, and producing a morphologically        aesthetic cluster.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EMERALD ICE’ can also be comparable to theunpatented commercial variety Aeonium ‘Sunburst’. The two Aeoniumvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however,the new variety ‘EMERALD ICE’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Displays a more geometric variegation than does Aeonium        ‘Sunburst.    -   2. Forms a more evenly concentric rosette than does Aeonium        ‘Sunburst’, producing a more uniform rosette plant form.    -   3. Produces a rosette with an abundance of leaves, creating a        plant with a much more full appearance, than does Aeonium        ‘Sunburst’.    -   4. Offsets more profusely than does Aeonium ‘Sunburst’,        enhancing the propagation rate, and producing a morphologically        aesthetic cluster.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color the topview of a rosette typical of plants of Aeonium ‘Emerald Ice’ grown in agreenhouse in Vista, Calif.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color the side view of a rosette typical ofplants of Aeonium ‘Emerald Ice’ as grown in a commercial greenhouse inVista. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 14 weeks from arooted plantlet.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.All photographs provided by the breeder.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to the PantoneProcess Color System Guide, Pantone CYMK, 2014, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The followingobservations and measurements describe ‘Emerald Ice’ plants in acommercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from −1° C.to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatmentsor chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural lightconditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Aeonium hybrid ‘EMERALD ICE’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Terminal vegetative divisions.-   Time to initiate roots: About 18 days at approximately 24° C.-   Root description: Fibrous.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 4 months.-   Container size of the plant described: 20.5 cm.-   Growth habit: Upright, caulescent, with a terminal rosette, freely    offsetting from below rosette and between leaves of the rosette to    produce cluster.-   Height: Approximately 14 cm to top of highest leaf. Height in cm to    top of inflorescence is unknown as plant has been undergoing    propagation, and has not yet flowered.-   Plant spread: 23 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderately fast.-   Branching characteristics: Freely offsetting.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Rosulate.        -   Average length.—Approximately 8 cm.        -   Longest length.—Approximately 11.3 cm.        -   Widest width.—Approximately 1.35 cm.        -   Width at base.—0.7 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Ciliate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Approximately 190.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near P 159-15 U Pantone & P            159-16 U Pantone. Young foliage, upper side, apical margin:            Near P 166-3 U Pantone. Young foliage upper side, near base:            Near P 160-9 U Pantone. Young foliage, upper side, basal            margin: Near P 160-5 U Pantone. Young foliage, under side:            Near P 159-15 U Pantone & P 159-16 U Pantone. Mature foliage            upper side: Near P 159-15 U Pantone & P 159-6 U Pantone.            Mature foliage, under side: Near P 159-15 U Pantone & P            159-6 U Pantone. Mature foliage, under side, apical margin:            Near P 166-3 U Pantone. Mature foliage, under side, near            stem: Near P 160-11 U Pantone.        -   Venation.—There is no visual appearance of venation.

FLOWER

-   Flowering not observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Flowering not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruits and seeds: Plant has not flowered to date.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately −2    degrees C. to 32 degrees C.-   Disease/pest resistance: Displays the same disease and pest    resistance of any other comparable Aeonium.-   Drought tolerance: Tolerates at least 3 weeks of high temperatures    without supplemental water, showing no serious damage to plant.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aeonium plantnamed ‘EMERALD ICE’ as herein illustrated and described.